BARCELONA:
Slovenian veteran Primoz Roglic won the Tour of Catalonia on Sunday by powering to a solo triumph in the seventh stage in Barcelona.
The 35-year-old, who won the race in 2023, trailed home favourite Juan Ayuso by one second going into the finale, but eased to victory by 28 seconds.
Spaniard Enric Mas came in third overall, 58 seconds behind the dominant Roglic.
“Beautiful, I had great fun here,” said Roglic.
“I figured it out, I’m ready, the legs are ready so I was pretty much enjoying this week.
“A bit of holidays and then slowly start to build up towards the Giro (d’Italia).”
Four time Vuelta a Espana winner Roglic was among the favourites after last year’s winner, his compatriot Tadej Pogacar, decided not to defend his title.
After winds played havoc with the sixth stage on Saturday — the route was modified significantly, with only 25 kilometres of racing permitted — weather conditions were good for the 88.2 kilometre finale starting and finishing in Barcelona.
“The big mountain stage I was hoping for yesterday was cancelled,” said Roglic.
“It came down to the last stage, the team was working well, we were racing well and I really enjoyed this week.”
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider Roglic claimed the intermediate sprint with Ayuso third, eking out a second’s advantage overall on the Spaniard.
However in the second intermediate sprint UAE Team Emirates’ Ayuso came out on top with Roglic third, restoring his single second lead.
With little over 20 kilometres remaining Roglic broke away with Ayuso unable to follow.
“After the sprint (I saw) if I wanted to win I had to do something,” explained Roglic.
Laurens De Plus and Lennert Van Eetvelt were able to stay within a few seconds of Roglic in the final lap but the Slovenian crossed the line with his arms raised in celebration.
De Plus came in 14 seconds behind Roglic, beating Van Eetvelt, third, in a sprint.
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